Carlos Sainz — 2017 season

Carlos Sainz's 2017 Formula 1 season was a pivotal year, marked by a mid-season team switch that highlighted his adaptability and consistent performance despite significant reliability hurdles.

### Going in

Entering his third season in Formula 1, Carlos Sainz was still a part of the Red Bull junior program, driving for Scuderia Toro Rosso. The 2017 season operated within the V6 turbo-hybrid era, a period largely defined by Mercedes's dominance at the front of the grid, with the midfield intensely competitive. Toro Rosso, utilizing Renault power units for part of the season, aimed to consolidate its position as a consistent points scorer. Sainz was paired with Daniil Kvyat for the majority of his time at Toro Rosso, a familiar dynamic from previous seasons. The expectation was for Sainz to continue his development, demonstrating his capacity to extract performance from the machinery at hand, a trait that would become a hallmark of his career, much like other rising talents such as Oscar Piastri — 2023 season would later show in their initial years.

### How it played out

Sainz began the year with a solid P8 at the Australian Grand Prix, followed by a P7 in China, signaling a promising start for Toro Rosso. He consistently found himself in the points through the early races, including another P7 in Spain and a strong P6 at the Monaco Grand Prix. This initial phase showcased his ability to navigate challenging circuits and bring home valuable points for the team. However, the season was also plagued by a high number of retirements; Sainz recorded 8 DNFs across the 20 races. These included collisions in Bahrain, Canada, and Great Britain, alongside mechanical issues such as an engine failure in Austria and Malaysia.

A significant shift occurred mid-season. After the Japanese Grand Prix, where he retired on the opening lap due to an accident, Sainz made a high-profile move to Renault Sport Formula One Team for the final four races. This transition was part of a broader engine supply deal between Toro Rosso and Renault. His debut for Renault at the United States Grand Prix was impressive, immediately securing a P7 finish and adding 6 points to his tally. This demonstrated his quick adaptation to a new car and team environment, a quality that continues to be valued in the sport, as seen with drivers like Lando Norris — 2024 season who have consistently adapted to evolving machinery. Despite this strong start with Renault, the final three races in Mexico, Brazil, and Abu Dhabi all ended in retirements due to mechanical issues (steering, wheel), preventing him from building further momentum. Overall, Sainz concluded the season with 54 points, placing him 9th in the Drivers' Championship, without any wins or podiums.